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CALGARY — A military judge has demoted the Calgary reservist in charge of a platoon during a fatal training exercise but spared him from jail time.

Darryl Watts held the rank of Major but has been demoted by two ranks to Lieutenant.

Lt. Watts will also receive a severe reprimand.

In a decision read Wednesday morning at the Mewata Armoury, Cmdr. Peter Lamont said both prosecution sentencing suggestions -- 18 months in prison and dismissal from the military -- were too severe. Citing the glowing reports Watts receivedduring the trial from his soldiers and counterparts, Lamont said Watts should not be removed from the military.

“I believe the offender can continue to make an important contribution to the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Lamont.

Watts was the platoon commander in charge at a training exercise with the C-19 explosive device when it inexplicably misfired toward the soldiers in Afghanistan on Feb 12, 2010.

Cpl. Josh Baker died and four other Canadian soldiers were injured in the incident at the Kan Kala range

The court martial heard that safety protocols to be behind cover were ignored at the time and that Watts did not take steps to halt the exercise.

Watts, who stared straight ahead in court and showed little emotion as he learned his sentence, declined to comment after the sentence.

“It’s a mixed bag for him but truth be told he’s probably breathing a sigh of relief because the alternative of going to jail or being removed from the military would not have sat very well with him,” said defence lawyer Balfour Der.

Der said the sentence may not affect Watts’s career as a full-time firefighter; however the fire department has not yet said what, if any, actions it may take. Chief Bruce Burrell is expected to speak about the case this afternoon.

“He can still be a fireman, he can still be a soldier, he can work his way back up the ranks,” said Der.

Watts and Der will discuss whether to launch an appeal of the conviction and sentence but Der said it was likely. He has 30 days to file a notice of appeal.

Prosecutor Maj. Dylan Kerr said he respects the judge’s decision.

“I think it re-instills again that commanders at all levels are responsible for the safety of those under their command. This decision makes it quite clear that Maj. Watts had a responsibility as a platoon commander and he failed in that responsibility and needs to be held accountable and is being held accountable,” said Kerr.

Watts was found guilty of unlawfully causing bodily harm and negligent performance of a military duty but acquitted of manslaughter.

Watts’s second-in-command, warrant officer Paul Ravensdale, will be sentenced in early March. Ravensdale was in charge of the C-19 exercise and reported to Watts.

Watts’s commanding officer, Capt. (then Maj.) Chris Lunney was demoted one rank and given a severe reprimand in the case.

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